Fluctuating Idle
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 96
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From: Boise ID
Fluctuating Idle
My 96 LT1 Auto with 40K Miles seems to have developed something new lately. During stops at signals, etc. while in "Drive", the idle fluctuates by a few hundred RPM. This issue only shows up when completely warmed up.
I know thats not much of a fluctuation, but I was wondering if this is symptematic of a greater, or growing problem.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
I know thats not much of a fluctuation, but I was wondering if this is symptematic of a greater, or growing problem.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Fluctuating Idle (ronsvet)
Oh-oh... I don't want to be one to always blame the opti-spark, especially on one on a 96 with only 40K. But, that is the exact symptoms I had. Next thing that began happening was a miss at high RPM (took about a month after the idle problem to develop).
The way I was able to isolate that problem was that once the car got hot enough to exhibit the problem and it was happening fairly regularly, I pulled the vent supply line (from intake accordian tube) and gave it a shot of air from one of those spray cans you use to blow out keyboards. The idle smoothed instantly, but came back rough in about 30 seconds. Another blast of air, smooth idle, then rough again.
When I pulled the opti, I split it open to try to find something wrong and voila, the distributor contacts were all fuzzy and corroded!
But first, you should at least check out your plugs and wires and coil wire.
[Modified by John Row, 10:57 AM 11/1/2002]
The way I was able to isolate that problem was that once the car got hot enough to exhibit the problem and it was happening fairly regularly, I pulled the vent supply line (from intake accordian tube) and gave it a shot of air from one of those spray cans you use to blow out keyboards. The idle smoothed instantly, but came back rough in about 30 seconds. Another blast of air, smooth idle, then rough again.
When I pulled the opti, I split it open to try to find something wrong and voila, the distributor contacts were all fuzzy and corroded!
But first, you should at least check out your plugs and wires and coil wire.
[Modified by John Row, 10:57 AM 11/1/2002]
